MOD’s Families Hub is now in its second year – have you used it yet?

 

Planning to register and claim for the UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) from September? Living in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? Volunteers needed for the user testing

Planning to register and claim for the UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) from September? The childcare team are asking for volunteers to take part in user testing and provide feedback on some of the products required to register and claim the UKNA reimbursement.

If you haven’t heard about UKNA, read the announcement from March 2026:

Transformative new childcare support will save Defence families up to £6000 a year - GOV.UK

Criteria for taking part in the testing:

• Service personnel (SP) must be Regular or FTRS (FC)
• SP with children aged 9 months to 2 years old living in Scotland or Wales, and SP with children aged 9 months to 4 years old living in Northern Ireland.
• SP that are currently paying for childcare at a registered childcare provider.
• SP that use a Tax-Free Childcare account to pay their provider.
• SP that have sufficient time available to test the product and provide feedback to the team.

User testing will take place between now and September.

If you fit the criteria and would like to take part in the user testing, please contact the Defence childcare team at people-affs-child-expenses@mod.gov.uk

Little Troopers Family Reconnection Weekend July 2026

Family Reconnection Weekend – July 2026
Applications are now open!
We’re heading to Cuffley Activity Centre in Hertfordshire for a woodland weekend full of activities, connection and time together as a military family. Families will also have the chance to connect with others from the military community who truly understand military life.
Register your interest now, open to families with children in Year 4 and above.
We can’t wait to welcome lots of you to our second Family Reconnection Weekend of 2026!
Applications https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XH8RVPF...

Bicester: tower treasures baby and toddler group - every Thursday during termtime

Baby and toddler drop-in group ages 0-4. Play, enjoy refreshments, stories, songs and a chat! The Parish Room, St Michael at the North Gate, termtime Thursdays 1000-1145hrs. 

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub.

Hampshire: Home Start Hampshire in Rushmoor & Hart

At Home-Start Hampshire we run a range of family groups which are by referral only, third party or self-referral. The groups are supported by trained and experienced volunteers who will ensure you and your little one(s) are welcomed, feel safe and have a positive experience.

All of our groups provide a safe non-judgmental environment where families can make the first steps to regular social interaction and peer support.

To refer a family to one of our groups, or make a self-referral please complete and return a referral form, which can be found HERE

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Hampshire: Hampshire County Council Childcare Choices

 

Changes to childcare support mean you might now be eligible for more help than ever before. Support from Childcare Choices can give your child a great start while giving you work choices, helping you make the juggle of family life a little easier. 

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Church Crookham: Army Welfare Service Give Us a Hand

 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

London: Home Start London

Home Start are there for parents when they need it the most because childhood can’t wait

All parents struggle at one time or another and Home-Start is ready to support London families through their toughest times.

Home-Start trains and supports volunteers to work alongside parents in their own home giving compassionate and confidential support, tailored to each family. Home-Start London is a consortium of 12 local Home-Starts operating across 24 London boroughs. 

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

St Athan: Swallow Playgroup based at MOD St Athan West Camp Community Centre - spaces available

 

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Hampshire: Home Start support for military families

 

Home Start volunteers help families with children age 0-11 years deal with the challenges they face. They support parents (including military families) to learn to cope, improve their confidence and build better lives for their children.

Click on the QR code to access further information of other areas of support that Home Start can help with.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Transformative new childcare support could save Armed Forces families up to £6,000 a year

(images UK MOD Crown Copyright 2024)

A new Ministry of Defence scheme to transform support for Armed Forces families with young children will be rolled out across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from September 2026, the Defence Secretary has announced on 20 March 2026.

This major boost could save eligible Armed Forces families up to £6,000 per year for each child, depending on where you are in the UK.

Defence is committed to supporting Armed Forces families, wherever you live and work. This scheme will help with the cost of living and navigating life as a family in the Armed Forces, recognising the demands placed on Service personnel and the critical roles families play in support of them.

Hundreds of families in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to be eligible for the scheme.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:

"Our Armed Forces families are at the heart of our nation's security. With demands on defence rising, from the conflict in the Middle East to growing Russian aggression, we are asking more of our military, and it is right that we continue to step up our support for them.

“This transformative offer will ensure more military families get the childcare support they need, no matter where they are posted.

"We are making good on our promise to Armed Forces families - supporting them as they support our dedicated military personnel defending the UK and our allies. Our message to the Armed Forces community is clear: this government is on your side."

Defence Secretary meets Service families

(images UK MOD Crown Copyright 2024)

(images UK MOD Crown Copyright 2024)

On 19 March 2026, the Defence Secretary visited Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh to launch this new scheme and meet families who will benefit from this extra support.

About the scheme
Who is eligible for the scheme?

Defence UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) – launches Sept 2026

Click poster to enlarge.
To access any document links, please view the document online here.

Further information will follow in due course, but please contact HIVE with any queries in the meantime.

Wales: Transformative new childcare support will save Defence families up to £6000 a year

A new Defence scheme to transform support for forces families with young children will be rolled out across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from September 2026, the Defence Secretary announced on 20th March 2026.

This major boost for UK Armed Forces families will save forces families living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland up to £6,000 per year for each child and will help with the cost of living as they serve to protect the nation.

It will be delivered through the Ministry of Defence’s existing Early Years childcare reimbursement scheme and will ensure that eligible working UK Armed Forces families receive the same Government funded childcare support as forces families in England.

This government promised to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve, and this support is another major step to deliver on that pledge. Childcare is cited as one of several factors affecting Armed Forces retention and morale and this government is on a mission to fix the recruitment crisis. The announcement was made by Defence Secretary John Healey MP on a visit to meet families at Dreghorn Barracks, Edinburgh.

To read the whole article on the .Gov website: Transformative new childcare support will save Defence families up to £6000 a year

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Scotland: Transformative new childcare support will save Defence families up to £6000 a year

A new Defence scheme to transform support for forces families with young children will be rolled out across the UK from September 2026.

A new Defence scheme to transform support for forces families with young children will be rolled out across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from September 2026, the Defence Secretary has announced today.

This major boost for UK Armed Forces families will save forces families living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland up to £6,000 per year for each child and will help with the cost of living as they serve to protect the nation.

It will be delivered through the Ministry of Defence’s existing Early Years childcare reimbursement scheme and will ensure that eligible working UK Armed Forces families receive the same Government funded childcare support as forces families in England.

To read more 👉 Transformative new childcare support will save Defence families up to £6000 a year - GOV.UK

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Bovington: Nursery school for ages 3 months to pre-school

 

Open all year apart from the Christmas holidays and the last week of the summer holidays.

Timings:
Monday - Thursday 08.00 – 17.00 Monday – Thursday
Friday 08.00 – 15.00

Bovington Nursery is located at

Linsay Road  (near to the Tank Museum) BH20 6JG

Tel 01929 403602

E-Mail office@bovingtonnursery.co.uk

Click link HERE for website 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Moray: Earth Time Waddle Toddle

click on image to enlarge

Peter Rabbit is hopping along to Waddle Toddle this week to find Mr McGregors carrots 🥕🥕 Can you help him find them?

🐇 Hop along and have a go at planting your own seeds to take home.
🍎 Munch your way through snack provided
🍵 Enjoy a warm drink whilst you listen to the stories.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Church Crookham: NANA Virtual Network date: Thurs 23rd April 2026 time: 1000 - 1200hrs

 

Your not alone: NANA  is a friendly online space for Nepalese parents of children with special needs.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Inverness: Pupils from Armed Forces Families at Raigmore Primary School in Inverness have co-produced a ‘Welcome Book’ for new primary aged pupils from Armed Forces families arriving in the Highlands

Pupils from Armed Forces Families at Raigmore Primary School in Inverness have co-produced a wonderful ‘Welcome Book’ for new primary aged pupils from Armed Forces families arriving in the Highlands – but is a wonderful resource for any new Primary School pupil arriving.

The book is designed to be accessible for all, with options to click to listen or read text or both as you go through the book. They have talked about things that they want to highlight that are important to them when moving Schools.

The pupils hope you enjoy the book, that you share with those who will benefit and appreciate it and we can’t wait to hear your feedback. Click the image below to read the book.

To read the book 👉Book Creator | A Book to Welcome You!

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Grantham: Support with childcare costs

www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/fundedchildcare

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Hampshire: - Hampshire Fostering Services

 

Every share matters. By working together, we can inspire more families to consider fostering and give more children the chance to thrive in a loving home. Please use the hashtag #MyBestFriendEve

Facebook ; https://www.facebook.com/HampshireChildren

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/hampshirechildren/

Linkedin   : https://www.linkedin.com/company/hantschildren

You can also find more information about fostering in Hampshire here:

https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/fostering

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub